Security stepped up in Andhra Pradesh post Telangana decision

The Andhra Pradesh Police on Tuesday stepped up security across the state saying they were well prepared to maintain law and order particularly in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions in the wake of the decision to create separate Telangana.

Sufficient number of security forces has been deployed to deal with any situation arising out of the historic decision, they said.

"Security forces, including personnel from AP Special Police and central paramilitary units, have been put in place in all parts of the state in sufficient numbers...whatever be the requirement or situation, it will be taken care of," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) V S K Kaumudi told PTI on Tuesday night.

"Our personnel are already on alert (in view of ongoing panchayat elections in AP) and wherever forces will be required they will be made available," Kaumudi said.

Asked about bandh calls given by supporters of united Andhra Pradesh and ongoing protests in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, IGP (North Coastal Zone) Dwarka Tirumala Rao said they have already deployed adequate forces to handle any situation.

"We have deployed the forces and police will not tolerate violence," the senior officer said.

Around 5,000 central para-military forces personnel besides the AP Special Police are keeping a vigil in coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Hyderabad city in view of the panchayat polls whose third and last phase is scheduled on Wednesday.

 Meanwhile, more than 500 paramilitary personnel and two companies of Rapid Action Forces (around 200 men) have landed in Visakhapatnam in view of Wednesday's Seemandhra bandh, according to police sources. The RAF companies were requisitioned to Andhra Pradesh from Madhya Pradesh.

Schools, colleges and commercial establishments will participate in the bandh called by Student Joint Action Committee to protest Congress' decision on Telangana, JAC leader Lagudu Govinda said.

Image: Heavy RAF deployment outside Hyderabad’s Osmania University campus on Tuesday

Photograph: SnapsIndia